This summer is all about communal time with hands at work and research labs that encourage collaborative problem solving from differing ways of knowing.
Our projects will inspire you to stop and look around, take notice of the stones at your feet, wind on your face and the natural world around you. Sculptural butterfly nets, kites made from plants we have grown and gathered, woven bird habitats, painting and even making the paint — all of these experiences ask you to pause and look closer, talk with your neighbours, learn new skills and share your own knowledge.
Do something new without leaving home: we have planned exciting learning sessions over holiday weekends to allow for fun ‘stay-cation’ time in town.
………….Summer Workshop Series………..
Summer Social Maker Nights
Mon 6.30-9pm June 6-July 11
Trillium North Park, 6 sessions
Drop-in (sliding scale $5-$10 suggested donation- or stewardship time)
Join these summer evening sessions to work on those self-directed projects you have long dreamed about beginning or completing. Need assistance for problem solving or a technique refresher? EartHand hosts are here to help get you going. Some materials and tools available, but generally bring your own ideas and supplies. We encourage all attempts at clothing mending, whittling, weaving, drop-spindling and more.
** Can’t find the cash? Come early for Maker Night Stewardship Sessions to help with watering, weeding and harvesting as we tend the areas we manage in the park. Time-in becomes a trade for Maker Night attendance.Mon 5.30-6.30 pm June 6-July 11
Natural Pigment Paints: An Evening Journey of Discovery
Tues 6-8pm July 26 Trillium North, 1 session
Join Catherine Shapiro for a two hour exchange of what she has learned so far in her quest to create paint from her garden. Exploring pollen, indigo and other materials in which colour and pigment can be found. Includes hands-on lab time.
‘Paint Along with Mr. Fire-Man’
Sat Sun 4-8pm July 30 & 31 Trillium Park, 2 sessions
Step-by-step gouache watercolour technique with a Master.
Students learn to break down landscape into simple layers that quickly build into competent renderings as they follow promptings from ancient advertising illustrator, Mr. Fire-Man. Gain speed, skill and confidence in your paintings with time in the field and instruction in the old ways. Previous experience an asset, but not required.
Sorry! For reasons beyond our control this class had to be cancelled, we will likely run it again in 2017.
Urban Paleo: Flintknapping for the City Dweller
Sat Sun 11am-2pm July 9 & 10
Maclean Park, 2 sessions
Begin your journey to learn the very ancient art of making arrowheads without leaving the comfort of civilization. Students learn percussive reduction techniques with traditional tools (antler, stone, copper) and to source their own materials in an urban environment (ceramic, glass and/or directions to the gem store). Guidance and instruction from local knapper, David Gowman, aides the student in forming a quick grasp of concept followed by the necessary time in studio, smashing rocks and glass until progress is made. Previous experience an asset, but not required. Register early, class max of 7, includes a half hour break for lunch.
$105 members, $115 non members
“StayCation” Fibre Camp for Grown-Ups
Tues-Fri 10am-4pm August 2-5
Trillium North, 4 sessions
Take some time for yourself after the long weekend and play outside at Trillium North harvesting, weaving, dyeing fibre, spinning and more. The creation of a small rope bag project and twined purse will be the focus of our direction as we work our way through multiple materials and techniques. This week promises to be a great professional development tool kit for teachers and creative-minded gardeners or makers with an interest in our local creative bounty. No experience needed. Participants encouraged to hang out Wednesday night for a potluck dinner and join in for Porchapalooza. Instructors Sharon Kallis and Melodie Flook
$380 members, $395 non-members, includes $20 supply fee,
Porchapalooza
Wed 6pm-midnight August 3
Trillium North
A potluck long-table family style picnic, group weaving project, performances by the Legion of Flying Monkeys Horn Orchestra and twilight outdoor screening by the Iris Film Collective-How could you miss it? BYO blanket and camping chair. Thanks to Vancouver Foundation Community Celebration Grants for assistance.
…………….Stewardship Sessions…………
Mid -Week Garden Club
Trillium North Park (Malkin and Thornton)
Tues 9.00am-12noon
May 17, 24, 31
June 7, 12, 21
Aug 9, 16
This semi-weekly garden session includes everything from tracking seasonal patterns, weaving fences, weeding, drawing botanical pictures and harvesting from the land. Good conversation with snacks encouraged. Sun-hat, water bottle and closed-toed shoes recommended.
Maker Night Stewardship Sessions
Mon 5.30-6.30 pm June 6-July 11
Trillium North Park
Come out before the Maker Social to help with watering, weeding and harvesting as we tend the areas we manage in the park. Time-in becomes a trade for Maker Night attendance.
M.O.P. Garden Time
In partnership with Environmental Youth Alliance
Means of Production Garden ( East 6th and St.Catherines)
Wed 10am-12noon
May 11, 25, June 8, 22, July 6, 27, Aug 10, 24, Sept 21
Enjoy time at the always beautiful MOP while helping with seasonal tasks.
………..Community Projects…………..
Bird Habitat Weaving Research Labs
In partnership with Stanley Park Ecology Society
In Stanley Park* and Trillium North Park
Weavers of all abilities work together with Stanley Park Ecology Society Stewardship Group harvesting targeted invasive plants, then exploring various weaving methods to create habitats that meet the nesting needs of various species.
* meet at SPES Pavilion by 9.50 to fill out a volunteer form if this is your first time volunteering with SPES.
- Harvest and Weaving Sat & Sun 10am-2pm Stanley Park
participants with weaving experience preferred.
limited participation, book your place for 1 or more sessions **NB: when clicking this link, you will see the first session listed only; but when you click on the ‘Register’ button, it will give you all three date options to choose from.
May 14 (Sat) with English ivy
May 28 (Sat) with Flag iris/holly
June 26 (Sun) with Blackberry
- Design Lab and Construction – 3 sessions – July 8, 9, 10
3 day collaboration between weavers and stewards for brainstorming, sharing research and constructing prototype bird houses. As this is a group problem solving experience, we ask for a commitment of all 3 days to build a strongly collaborative team. Limited participation, book your place for 3 sessions.
Fri 6-9pm July 8 Stanley Park potluck, meet and greet and introduction to design parameters
Sat & Sun 10-3.30 July 9 & 10 Trillium North Park weaving and construction both dates.
“From Soil to Sky” Presentation at Pacific Rim Kite Festival, Vanier Park
In partnership with BC Kitefliers Association
With support from City of Vancouver Office of Cultural Affairs and Vancouver Park Board
Sat 11am-3pm June 11
Pacific Rim Kite Festival Vanier Park
From Soil to Sky is an opportunity for artists, gardeners, papermakers, spinners, woodworkers, kite-fliers and others to spend 12 sessions sharing skills as we collaborate in making the best-flying, most inspiring kites we can completely from materials that grow right in our neighbourhoods.
Participation in these labs is by invitation and includes local skill holders such as traditional Japanese kite-making, paper making, woodworking, linen spinning and more. See the resulting kites debut at Vancouver’s Pacific Rim Kite Festival on June 11, and then at The Roundhouse Community Centre in the Window Gallery this July and August.
Stay tuned for related public fall programming
Blackberry/Butterfly: Nets in the Pollinator Pasture
In partnership with Bees without Borders, Emily Carr University of Art and Design and the City of Richmond
Bridgeport Industrial Park: 12408 Vickers Way, Richmond
south of Bridgeport Road and east of No. 5 Road
Join in our social work circles to make rope from blackberry vine for the creation of sculptural butterfly nets to hang in the pine trees alongside the pollinator pasture. Musicians welcome to come and play, some musical guests are planned. Picnic dinners encouraged.
Sat 11am-3pm June 4 Celebration of blooms in the pasture
Wed 5.30-8.30pm June 29 blackberry fibre harvest
Wed-Fri 5.30-8.30pm July 27, 28,29 rope making circles
Sat 10am-1pm July 30 rope making circle
Mon- Thurs 5.30-8.30pm Aug 8-11 rope making circles
Sat 1-4pm Aug 13 Final Celebration